This is my journey.

Sometimes you just want something new…

As this is my third Camino, I already own all the clothes and gear I need for the trek. But part of the fun of planning for my next adventure is finding fun new gear for it. It could be as simple as new socks, but putting those new socks on for the first time can add a smile to your face. At least for me, trying out new gear makes me happy and inspires me to get outside more.

I’m not adding much new to my collection, but I couldn’t avoid taking advantage of a good deal on a new rain jacket that happened to be 50% off the other day. It’s not the ultimate rain jacket, not even goretex, but it’s lighter weight than any others I’ve owned and more importantly, it’s a pretty color. 🙂

Along with a nice Patagonia hoody (I LOVE hoodies) and new flip flops (how could I not??), the only other new piece of gear for this Camino is – you guessed it – a new pair of socks!

Last night, I tried putting all my items in my Camino pack to see what I might be missing or how I was doing for weight in the pack. I don’t know if it’s just the smaller hoody (ditching the warm thick jacket since I’m walking at the hottest time of year), but my pack has a lot of room left in it and feels lighter than ever. This is good since I haven’t had as much time for serious training for this Camino and may need all the breaks I can get. 🙂

The other factor in planning this trip is similar to last year, as I’ll be heading up to the UK after the walk and need my clothes to work in a variety of climates. I also need my official Geocaching HQ staff shirt as I’ll be headed to a geocaching Mega-Event in Manchester for work.

This year’s list:

Arcteryx 37 liter backpack

REI backpack rain cover

Brooks Cascadia trail runner shoes – goretex

Havaiana Flip flops

Trekking poles

Columbia water bottle

Platypus foldable water bottle

Black Diamond throw blanket

Lightweight blow up pillow (splurge item)

North Face rain jacket

Patagonia hoody

1 pair of yoga pants

1 pair North Face hiking pants

1 pair of North Face hiking shorts

1 skort

1 pairs of Darn Tough wool socks

2 pair of Smartwool socks

1 Geocaching HQ cotton t-shirt

2 quick dry shirts

1 quick dry long sleeve shirt

1 tank top

Ball cap

Lightweight poncho

3-4 pairs of undies

Backpacking quick dry towel

Toiletries including mini shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.

Fingernail clippers

Fingernail polish (splurge item)

Minimal first aid kit including band-aids, moleskin and Compeed

Advil, Advil PM, Vitamins

Mini toilet paper roll

Needles with thread

Extra chapstick

Mini sunscreen

IPhone

Fitbit

Battery charger for iPhone

Charging cables for iPhone, Fitbit and battery charger

3 International plug-ins (Spain/Portugal and UK)

USB charger plug with two USB ports (charge two things at once)

Camino Portuguese guidebook

Small carabiners to hang things from backpack

Lightweight purse or fanny pack with passport, cards and euros

Mini roll of duct tape

Clothes pins for drying clothes

2 Reusable shopping bags (for storing clothes)

1 organization compartments

Buff scarf

Sounders FC Scarf (splurge item)

Camino cinch pack

Snacks including beef jerky, granola bars and energy jelly beans

Scallop shell

Knowing that you can purchase almost anything you need on the Camino is something you hear the first time you go but you still overpack anyway. Being a bit more seasoned pilgrim, I know I can trust that I can find anything I might need along the way. Keeping things simple with packing helps keep things less complicated – perhaps one could say that for many things in life.